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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "transfer of your funds" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "hundred thousand united state dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "executive governor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- bcea@caramail.com (Caramail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Juste Smith <se.ss2@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Dec 2016 12:04:16 -0500
Subject: ATTENTION
Good afternoon my Dear,
This is to inform you that the Incumbent goverment of our Country President Patrice Tylon has given instruction to Central bank of west Africa to release all outstanding payment that belong to Foreign Contractors and Investors. Your name came among the first barge to receive their payment in 72 hour.
Your are therefore advice to contact the office of the Executive Governor of the Central Bank of West Africa for the immediate transfer of your funds total sum of One Million, Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars ($1.5million) only.
Below is contact of the Executive Governor of Central Bank Benin Republic.
Office Of The Governor BCEAO Benin Republic.
Adresse : Avenue Jean-Paul II 01 Boîte Postale n°325
Boîte Postale : 01 Boîte Postale n°325
Tel: (00229) 61 57 73 39
Email: bcea@caramail.com
Web site: www.bceao.cf
Once you contact him, do inform me for record purpose.
Thanks,
Best Regards,
Juste Smith
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Anti-fraud resources:
